By
Jonathan Oh

Connelly fought off two challengers and won nearly 75 percent of the vote to remain chairman of the party after Saturday's vote at the GOP convention in Columbia. He was first elected in 2011.

Connelly has been criticized for his handling of the party's finances, but he was backed by many of the state's most powerful Republicans.

The convention also included speeches by Gov. Nikki Haley and U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham. Some at the convention booed Graham, who will likely face a primary challenge in 2014 from Republicans who think he is not conservative enough.

Events kicked off Friday with a speech at the annual Silver Elephant Dinner fundraiser from U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.